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The sword that cut the burning grass

Dorothy Hoobler

Cover of The sword that cut the burning grass

The sword that cut the burning grass

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Samurai Mystery

by Dorothy Hoobler

Reading Level 6 11LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Seikei grips his sword tightly as shadowy figures close in under the moonlit sky. The young samurai apprentice races through the burning grass, heart pounding—can he reach Emperor Yasuhito before it's too late? Suddenly, a mysterious voice calls out from the darkness, but who can he trust?

Quick Assessment

Set in eighteenth-century Japan, this middle-grade historical fiction follows fourteen-year-old samurai apprentice Seikei as he embarks on a daring mission to rescue the kidnapped young Emperor Yasuhito. The story blends elements of mystery, adventure, and historical context appropriate for readers ages 9-12, with themes of bravery, loyalty, and Japanese culture during the Tokugawa period.

Why we rated The sword that cut the burning grass 11LP

The sword that cut the burning grass is written at a Level 6 reading level across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The sword that cut the burning grass works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate The sword that cut the burning grass as 11LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.

Thematically, The sword that cut the burning grass explores adventure, historical, mystery, and fantasy world-building — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Kids drawn to stories about adventure, historical, mystery.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
5
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

211 pages
ISBN
0399242724
Pages
211
Publisher
Philomel Books
Published
2005
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Kings, Queens, Rulers, EtcSamuraiMystery and Detective StoriesJapanTokugawa Period, 1600-1868Kings, Queens, Rulers

Places

Japan